Cigarette lighter



May 22, 1951 H. RUBIN CIGARETTE LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 24,1949 May 22, 1951 H. RUBIN- 2, 3, 78

CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed Jan. 24, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 22,1951 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE CIGARETTE LIGHTER Herman Rubin, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application January 24, 1949, Serial N 0. 72,341

10 Claims.

My invention relates to cigarette lighters, and included in the objectsof my invention are:

First, to provide a cigarette lighter which may einploi a solid orsemi-solid fuel, and incorporates a novelly arranged fuel cartridge unitwhich may be readily and quickly inserted in the lighter or replaced bya fresh cartridge, as needed.

Second, to provide a cigarette lighter wherein operation of the lighterto open or expose the burner automatically forces an appropriatequantity of fuel into position for ignition and operates an igniter toeffect ignition, whereas reverse or closing movement effectively snufisout the flame.

Third, to provide a cigarette lighter which is particularly safe againstloss of fuel while being carried or when not in use, and which is soarranged that loss of fuel is avoided while replacing the fuelcartridge.

Fourth, to provide a cigarette lighter which is capable of operating fora relatively long period before replacement of the fuel cartridge andwhich utilizes the fuel efiiciently.

Fifth, to provide a cigarette lighter wherein the fuel is contained in acoiled tub of small cross section and novelly arranged means is employedto progressively collapse the tube as fuel is needed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, reference is directed tothe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of my cigarette lighter with a portion of thecase broken away to illustrate the operating mechanism.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through 2-2 of Figure 4, the partsbeing shown in the positions assumed when the lighter is closed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane asFigure 2, but showing the parts in the position assumed when the lighteris ignited.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through 4-4 of Figur 2.

Figure 5 is another transverse sectional view through 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the cartridge unit removed from thelighter.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of th reelhub structure.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through B8 of Figure2.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through 9-9 of Figure8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional View through I0Hl of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a sectional view through |l--H of Figure 6.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view through l2--l2 of Figur 1,illustrating the manher of pivoting the bell crank levers.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the mounting block which incorporatesthe fuel chamber and flint bore.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view through l4-i4 of Figure 9showing the ratchet drive for the flint wheel.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view through 15-45 of Figure 2 withthe operating lever omitted to illustrate the manner in which it isfulcrumed. I

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the burner valve.

My cigarette lighter includes a shell I which is relatively flat andopen at its upper and lower edges. Within the shell near one end thereis fitted a, mounting block 2, the mounting block and interior of theshell adjacent thereto having mating formations which receive a screw 3.The mounting block is provided with a flint bore 4 and a paralleldisposed fuel chamber 3. The upper end of the block which is slightlybelow the upper edge of the shell is provided at opposite sides of theflint bore with brackets 6 which receive a pin 1 to journal a flintwheel 8. The flint bore 4 receives a flint 9 backed by a spring it whichis held therein by a cap screw I I. The journal pin I also pivots a hoodor snufler member I2, which member is provided with a cavity adapted toreceive the flint wheel 8. Secured to one side of this cavity is aspring pawl l3 adapted to engage ratchet teeth l4 formed on the side ofthe flint wheel so that rotation of the hood member in one directioncauses corresponding rotation of the flint wheel across the end of theflint 9.

The hood member [2 is provided with a snuffer cavity l5 adapted toregister with the fuel oham her 5. The fuel chamber is constricted atits upper end to form a burner opening in which is adapted to be seateda valve head It. The valve head is adapted to be engaged by a boss lldepending in the snuffer cavity l5. A stem it! extends from the valvehead I6 into the fuel chamber and is engaged by a spring I9 held inplace by a retainer 20 located near the lower end of the chamber. Thelower end of the chamber is shaped to form a seat which fits a cartridgeunit to be described hereinafter.

The upper, open edge of the shell is partially closed by the hood memberH! which projects above the shell. The remaining space is closed by alever 21 which is complementary to the hood member 12 and is alsodisposed above the shell I. The end of the lever remote from the hoodmember turns downwardly and seats in a socket 22 formed in the shell I.A spring 23 is anchored in the shell and projects through the leveradjacent its fulcrum end so as to underlie the lever and urge itupwardly. The lever is provided with side portions 24 which project intothe shell l adjacent its sides. Pivotally mounted on the sides of themounting block 2 is a pair of bell cranks 25 which have arms extendingupwardly and overlapping the side portions 24. These arms are connectedto the side portions by slot and pin drive means 26. The other arms ofthe bell cranks extend over the sides of the hood member 12 and areconnected thereto by slot and pin means 21. The arrangement of the bellcranks and their connections with the lever ill and hood member i2 aresuch that depression of the lever 2! from the position shown in Figures1 and 2 to the position shown fragmentarily in Figure 3 causes the hoodmember to pivot away from the valve head l6 and simultaneously to forcethe flint wheel across the end of the flint to produce sparks in theregion of the burner opening.

Fuel is supplied by means of a replaceable fuel unit 3! which is adaptedto be inserted in the lower, open edge of the shell. The fuel unitincludes a base member 32 held in place by the cap screw H and by asecond screw 33 threaded into the end wall of the shell. The base 32 isprovided with an upwardly directed boss 34 having a seal member 35 whichengages and seats in the lower end of the fuel chamber 5. One side ofthe base 32 is provided with an upstanding plate 36. The plate isprovided with an annular flange 3'! to form a circular recess. Apassageway 38 communicates between the recess and the boss 34. Threadedin this passage is a fuel tube 39 which enters the circular recess andis spirally coiled therein. The radially inner end of the fuel tube isclamped between a split pin 48 and a hollow hub member 4! journaled bythe mounting plate 36. The pin 40 is centered in a cover member 52having a flange which overlies the flange 31 and is provided withperipheral ratchet teeth 43. Fuel tube 39 may be an extrusion of softmetal such as aluminum or lead or may be formed of yieldable plasticmaterial or synthetic rubber.

The ratchet teeth 43 are engaged by a pawl 44 located between andjoining the lower extremities of the side portions 24 of the lever 2|.The pawl is so disposed that depression of the lever to actuate the hoodmember and ignite the lighter advances the cover member 42 apredetermined amount. Rotation of the cover member progressivelycollapse the spirally wound fuel tube 39 so that its fuel contents maybe discharged in appropriate quantities into the fuel chamber 5. Thebase member 32 is provided with a recess for supporting a detent 45 toprevent back travel of the cover member 42.

Operation of my lighter is as follows:

Depression of the lever 2i forces a small quantity of fuel into thechamber 5 and tends to force an equal amount upwardly around the valvestem 18. At the same time the hood member swings clear and actuates theflint wheel to produce sparks for igniting the fuel issuing from thefuel chamber. The fuel contained in the fuel tube may be a solid or asemi-solid or may be liquid. In any case it is provided that the liquidbe sufiiciently viscous to cling to the stem and burn on the exposedportion thereof. When the lever 12! is released the hood returns toposition over the valve head, snuffing out the flame and forcin thevalve head tight against its seat to prevent loss of fuel andre-supplying the stem with fuel.

Many other embodiments of the invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a flat shell open at opposite edges,and having a mounting block therein near one end and a fuel cartridgecavity between said block and the other end of shell; said mountingblock defining a fuel chamber having a burner openingexposed toward oneopen edge of said shell; an igniter including a friction Wheeljcurnalled in proximity to burner opening and a hint element fitted insaid lock; a cap movable between a position closing said burner openingand a position exposing said burner opening said cap operativelyconnected said friction wheel to ignite fuel at said burner opening assaid cap is raised; a lever member, forming with said cap a cover forsaid one open edge of said shell and operatively connected with saidcap; a replaceable fuel cartridge adapted to fit said cartridge cavityand communicating with said fuel chamber; and means incorporating saidlever and said cartridge and operable on movement of said lever fordelivering predetermined quantities of fuel to said fuel. chamber.

2. A cigarette lighter, comprising: means defining a burner opening; anigniter and snuffer alternately operable to ignite a fuel present atsaid burner opening and to extinguish the resulting flame; a replaceablefuel cartridge adapted for communication with said burner opening andincluding a progressively collapsible fuel contamer; a lever foractuating said igniter and snufjer; and a ratchet and pawl meansincorporrating said cartridge and said lever for collapsing saidcontainer and feeding predetermined quantitles of fuel to said burneropening.

3. A cigarette lighter, comprising: means defining a burner opening; anigniter and snuffer alternately operable to ignite a fuel present atsaid burner opening and to extinguish the resulting flame; a replaceablefuel cartridge in cluding a reel; a collapsible tube containing fuelcommunicating with said burner opening and wrapped about said reel; andmanually operated means engageable with said reel to feed predeterminedquantities of fuel from said collapsible tube to said burner opening.

4. A cigarette lighter, comprising: means defining a burner opening; anigniter and snuiier alternately operable to ignite a fuel present atsaid burner opening and to extinguish the resulting flame; a replaceablefuel cartridge including a reel; a collapsible tube containing fuelcommunicating with said burner opening and wrapped about said reel; alever for actuating said igniter and snuffer; a ratchet and pawl meansincorporating said lever and reel to rotate said reel and progressivelycollapse said tube thereby to deliver predetermined quantities of fuelto said burner opening.

5. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a housing structure defining a fuelcartridge compartment. a fuel chamber and a burner orifice; a pair oflevers operatively connected and covering anassacvs edge of saidhousing, one of said levers forming a snuifer for said burner orifice;an ignition means operable by movement of said snufier lever to exposesaid burner orifice; a replaceable cartridge including a progressivelycollapsible fuel container adapted to fit said compartment andcommunicate with said fuel chamber; and means operatively connectingsaid cartridge with the other of said levers to collapse said fuelcontainer progressively and deliver predetermined quantities of fuel tosaid fuel chamber.

6. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a housing structure defining a fuelcartridge compartment, a fuel chamber and a burner orifice; a pair oflevers operatively connected and covering an edge of said housing, oneof said levers forming a snuffer for said burner orifice; an ignitionmeans operable by movement of said snuifer lever to expose said burnerorifice; a replaceable cartridge including a reel, a collapsible tubefilled with fuel and wound thereon, said tube communicating with saidfuel chamber and adapted to be collapsed upon rotation of said reel; andmeans incorporating the other of said levers and said reel to deliverpredetermined quantities of fuel to said fuel chamber.

7. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a housing structure open at oppositeedges and defining a fuel cartridge compartment and a burner orifice; areplaceable fuel cartridge adapted to fit said compartment andcommunicate with said burner orifice, said fuel cartridge including abase closing one open edge of said housing structure; a pair ofcomplementary levers closing the other open edge of said housingstructure, one of said levers overlying said burner orifice and forminga snuffer therefor, the other of said levers overlying said fuelcartridge compartment and operatively connected to said fuel cartridgeand to said snuifer lever to deliver predetermined quantities of fuel tosaid orifice and move said snuifer lever clear of said burner orifice;and ignition means operatively associated with said levers to ignitefuel present at said burner orifice.

8. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a housing structure open at oppositeedges and defining a fuel cartridge compartment and a burner orifice; avalve means controlling said burner orifice; a replaceable fuelcartridge adapted to fit said compartment and communicate with saidburner orifice, said fuel cartridge including a base closing one openedge of said housing structure; a pair of complementary levers closingthe other open edge of said housing structure, the first of said leversoverlying said burner orifice and valve means and engageable therewithto close said valve means, the other of said levers overlying said fuelcartridge compartment and operatively connected to said fuel cartridgeand said first lever to deliver predetermined quantities of fuel to saidorifice and move said first lever clear of said valve means and burnerorifice; and ignition means operatively associated with said levers toignite fuel present at said burner orifice.

9. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a housing structure open at oppositeedges and defining a fuel cartridge compartment and a burner orifice; areplaceable cartridge including a base closing one open edge of saidhousing structure, a reel, and a collapsible tube filled with fuel andwound on said reel, said tube communicating with said burner orifice andadapted to be collapsed upon rotation of said reel; a pair ofcomplementary levers ClOSlIlg the other upon edge of said housingstructure, one of said levers overlying said burner orifice and forminga snuifer therefor, the other of said levers overlying said fuelcartridge compartment and operatively connected to said fuel cartridgeand to said snufier lever to deliver predetermined quantities of fuel tosaid orifice and move said snufier lever clear of said burner orifice;and ignition means operatively associated with said levers to ignitefuel present at said burner orifice.

10. A cigarette lighter, comprising: a housing structure open atopposite edges and defining a fuel cartridge compartment and a burnerorifice; a valve means controlling said burner orifice; a replaceablecartridge including a base closing one open edge of said housingstructure, a reel and a collapsible tube filled with fuel and wound onsaid reel, said tube communicating with said burner orifice and adaptedto be collapsed upon rotation of said reel; a pair of complementarylevers closing the other open edge of said housing structure, the firstof said levers overlying said burner orifice and valve means andengageable therewith to close said valve means, the other of said leversoverlying said fuel cartridge compartment and operatively connected tosaid fuel cartridge and said first lever to deliver predeterminedquantities of fuel to said orifice and move said first lever clear ofsaid valve means and burner orifice; and ignition means operativelyassociated with said levers to ignite fuel present at said burnerorifice.

HERMAN RUBIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

